Query 9 - Horrible title, but possibly intriguing idea, plus the writer has some experience in entertainment industry. Hm. Setting this one aside for later look #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 8 - Time travel fiction - felt a bit too familiar and the voice didn't work for me. Form rejection. #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 7 - A really solid NF PB query by a published author. Well-written, but I think the focus is off for the market, so I'm passing. But open to seeing more in the future from this writer. #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 6 - More attachments. Why??? #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 5 - Memoir - could be interesting. Another one to set aside for later. My guidelines allow 20 pages of ms. to be pasted into query, so sometimes I need a bigger block of time to think more deeply on a query. #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 4 - This writer followed guidelines, knows my interests and has an interesting premise. Hm. Setting this one aside till I can consider it more. #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 3 - Picture book manuscript by a first-timer. My guidelines say I'm only looking at established pb authors, but okay. The rhyme is forced. Rejection sent. #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 2 - My name is misspelled. There are typos and grammatical errors in the first 5 lines of the query. I'm passing without reading further. #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Query 1 - Has an attachment. My guidelines say NO ATTACHMENTS. Delete. #querytip #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q10 Under 40k word novella pitched as novel. Pass. @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q9 Not interested in a child who falls for an older man. Immediate delete. @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q8 Starts with word count, subgenre, title and comp titles. Very helpful. Followed by very short summary but covers what we need to know. Unique story idea. Will definitely read. @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q7 Starts with word cound and genre (good) but then goes into all the themes and topics it covers. Nothing noting who or what the story is about. Pass @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q6 Starts with word count, subgenre (very helpful) and title. Brief summary that includes character, his goal, motivation and major obstacles he has to overcome to achieve. Brief bio. No fluff. Perfect query. Looking foward to reading. @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q5 Starts by noting our interest in screenplays. We don't represent screenplay. Pass. @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q4 Full synopsis and first three chapter attached per guidelines (perfect). Notes title, genre (perfect) but not market. Like to know if its adult or YA. Also includes word count (perfect) but it's over 200k. Way too long for the genre. Must pass. @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q3 Starts with why query was sent to us. Followed by short but concise summary of story. No bio but that is ok at this point with me. Just wish chapters were attached per guidelines and not pasted into email. Still a good query. @belcastr

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q2 - Starts with how author found us followed by title, word count. market, and genre. Then jumps right into a summary of the story. Ends with a bio outlining related credentials. Perfect Query.

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q1 - Email itself is completely blank with 3 attachments. Let us know what your story is about in the email itself with a 250-350 word summary so we know if we want to dig into the synopsis or sample chapters. @belcastr

Here's my #tenqueries podcast through @manuscriptacademy. Hope all you #amquerying authors find it helpful! manuscriptacademy.com/podcast